REVIEW – THE FORBIDDEN by Jodi Ellen Malpas

A new story of dangerous temptations from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the This Man trilogy.

Annie has never experienced the ‘spark’ with a guy-that instant chemistry that renders you weak in the knees. That is, until a night out brings her face to face with the dangerously sexy and mysterious Jack. It’s not just a spark that ignites between them. It’s an explosion. Jack promises to consume Annie, and he fully delivers on that promise.

Overwhelmed by the intensity of their one night together, Annie slips out of their hotel room. She is certain that a man who’s had such a powerful impact on her must be dangerous. She has no idea that he belongs to another. That he’s forbidden.

*****Patty’s Review*****

*****FIVE+++++++ STARS*****
{ARC Generously Provided by Author}

I would never have put myself in this situation for anything less than powerful love. The kind that keeps you going. The kind that gives you breath and life. Jack’s my life. He’s my pulse. He’s everything.

Jodi Ellen Malpas has brought her “A game” back with THE FORBIDDEN. There is a reason why I have always called her my “Queen” and it’s because her characters tend to have an intense and near insane passion for each other—the kind of romance I can’t get enough of. When a story has my nerves completely frayed and it nearly drives me to drink to ease my anxiety, I know that I’ve got myself a five star read!! This book is not for the weak of heart and I strongly advise that you have a bottle of alcohol close by and a buddy to read along with you. You are going to need a friend to get you through this one! The warning at the beginning of the book is valid. This story is going to upset many who have certain triggers and tropes they avoid. Luckily for me, I am not one of those people. I fell 100% in love with this haunting and passionate story. Ms. Malpas has yet again created an Alpha that completely captured my heart!

Annie Ryan is an up and coming architect. She is blessed because she loves her career. It’s taken up all of her time and focus for many years. But it’s also why her personal life has been non-existent for what seems like an eternity. Annie is content with being single and having her career take importance over every other aspect of her life until she meets a sexy stranger one night while out with her friends at a bar. Annie has never felt the kind of white hot chemistry that zings through her body like it did when she met Jack. From the moment Annie and Jack meet there is a magnetic pull drawing them to each other. The attraction is overwhelming for Annie. She completely loses her ability to think rationally. They end up sharing one incredibly passionate night together filled with mind blowing sex. Before the sun even comes up, Annie rushes out of the hotel room flustered by the intense connection she feels for a complete stranger. Several days later that night is still running through her mind repeatedly. Annie wonders if she made a mistake rushing out of that hotel without leaving her number but it would appear that Jack was destined to be in her life as he turns out to be the contractor working on her newest project. They may have been fated to become lovers but their road to happiness is a dangerous one since it turns out Jack has a secret which makes their romance ”forbidden”.

From the moment Jack walks into Annie’s life, he had me under his spell. The man is incredibly sexy and alpha. He’s in the same league as Jesse and Miller as far as I am concerned. Once I learned his truth it didn’t affect my love for him in the least bit. All I wanted was for Jack and Annie to find their way to a “happily ever after”.

This book WRECKED me! I am not even exaggerating. There were so many intense moments throughout the story, I had to set the book down several times because I was plagued by severe anxiety. I was constantly worrying about what was going to happen next that would potentially tear these lovers apart for good. The unease I felt throughout the second half of the book nearly killed me. I’m lucky I had a true friend who got me through the rough parts.

I absolutely loved this story from beginning to end. I enjoyed getting lost in another all-consuming romance created by one of my most beloved authors! I hope that Jodi continues to write about couples whose love for each other borders on insanity.

THE FORBIDDEN is currently available. I highly recommend this to those who aren’t afraid of topics that are slightly taboo.

Annie Ryan is a gorgeous single 29 yr. old woman living in London. She’s just moved into a fabulous new place & life is good. She loves her job as an architect & owns her own firm. She’s ambitious and more invested in building her career than men. She’s content with her life the way it is. Her friends joke she’s immune to men, but she just thinks relationships are hard work & she hasn’t found anyone worth all the effort.

One evening while out with friends everything changes when Annie crosses paths with a sexy stranger. He’s the most handsome man she’s ever laid eyes on. She feels an intense connection she’s never experienced before. This feeling is new to her. It’s odd & thrilling and feels illicit. She feels an insane need for this man. She’s completely blindsided by her desire, & this is the first time she’s had this unexplainable spark with someone. She has a one night stand with her mystery man & has never been so thoroughly consumed. They spend the entire night exploring one another, & it’s the most amazing night of her life.

-For the first time- probably ever- a man has caught my attention.

-I don’t know what his game is, but I want to play. With him.

-My body is coming to life again. His lips. His touch. His voice. His face. His kisses.

-I know in my heart of hearts that Jack is my soul mate. He’s the missing piece of me.

Annie keeps having flashbacks of her incredible, spontaneous night with her delicious stranger. She can’t quit thinking about him. Then she unexpectedly runs into him again, & learns he’s forbidden. His name is Jack, & he can never be hers. That doesn’t stop her fantasizing about him or the way her body responds to him. Their chemistry is undeniable. Circumstances put them around one another & they have trouble controlling their feelings. Even if it’s wrong, they can’t walk away. It feels right & easy when they’re together. They can’t resist each other any longer. Lines get blurred as they become addicted. Deep down Annie feels Jack was meant to be hers, & when Jack is with Annie he’s truly happy. Everything else falls away & he just feels love.

I really enjoyed this book. It’s extremely controversial & full of angst, but it’s a beautiful love story about two soul mates who fight to be together. I adored Jack!